g told that she was to
be released. These Kaffirs must be mad, she thought, to give up
their hostages. However, she at once proceeded to carry the orders
into effect.

Before raising her head above the roof, she uttered a loud
quavering cry--the cry of welcome of the Afghan women. The firing
without instantly ceased. Again raising the cry, she stepped out on
to the roof; and shouted that the English did not want to keep the
women, and that the door would be open for them to come
out--providing the Afghans promised that no attempt to enter should
be made, and that none should move from their present places, until
the women had fairly left.

There was a shout of surprise and satisfaction; and one of the
chiefs rose to his feet, and gave the promise in the name of his
companions.

"How many are there of you?" he asked.

"Seven," the woman answered.

"Are the children to come?"

"We may take away the babies, but the three boys are to remain
behind."

Five minutes later the door of the fort opened, and seven figures
came out. Not a shot was heard, until they had passed down the
street of the village, and had entered a house at the further end;
then the rapid fire commenced again. Twice, during the evening, did
the Afghans attempt to storm the little fort, but were each time
repulsed, with loss; the fire of the five double-barreled
guns--loaded with shot and bullets--and of the revolvers proving
too much for them.

The second attack was made about eleven. A quarter of an hour
later, wild shouts were heard outside. There was an instant
cessation of the enemy's fire; and then, in the silence, the deep
thundering sound of galloping horses was heard.

"Hurrah!" Will shouted, "here they are."

A minute later, the Third Bombay Cavalry dashed up to the fort. The
door was thrown open, and the little garrison ran out.

"All safe?" the officer in command asked.

"All safe, except Fortescue--who was killed at the first attack."

"So we heard, from your boy," the officer said. "He has ridden back
with us, as guide.

"Now, lads, dismount and clear the village. Shoot every man you
find, turn the women out of the houses, and then set them on fire.
Don't waste any time over it, for the rascals are swarming round
the place.

"Captain Lawson, you take your troop and dismount it as
skirmishers, round the place; and keep them off, till we have done
here.

"Here, you four men who brought the powder kegs, carry them inside